Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.” (John 21:17c)
In the Bible, the followers of the Lord Jesus are often compared to sheep.
In John 10, Jesus tells a parable about the shepherd and his flock. He says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
After Peter repents, he is restored to the ministry as an apostle. Jesus is going to entrust the care of His sheep to him. Three times Peter is given an important assignment.
First, he is given the care of the lambs.
The lambs of the good Shepherd’s flock need much care.
They are sometimes still weak in faith and need to be nurtured with pure milk from the word of God, so that they can grow in faith.
Then Jesus says, “Tend My sheep.”
Sheep can stray from the flock. Unnoticed, they go further and further away from the Shepherd. They can end up in a dangerous situation.
Then they need to be warned from God’s Word. So that, like Peter, they are brought back.
Finally, the sheep need to be fed.
The shepherd brings them to places where there is food available. There they are allowed to graze in the rich pastures of the gospel.